Causes of Hair Loss - How You Can Stop It

Although it is common to lose up to 100 hairs per day, you may be looking at the hairs in your shower drain and wondering if there’s a cure for baldness that you can start using now to stop your hair from thinning too much.

Get to the Root of the Problem

A certain amount of hair thinning is a natural part of the aging process for some people. But if you have sudden or patchy hair loss, a doctor appointment is in order. Sudden or patchy hair loss may be a sign of an underlying disease or condition. For example, skin conditions such as vitiligo, autoimmune disorders such as Addison's disease or alopecia areata, and certain thyroid conditions all can cause sudden or uneven hair loss.

Food for Thought

Your diet can also be one of the causes of hair loss. If you are a vegetarian and/or you eat too few iron-rich foods, such as red meat, it could be. Dietary deficiencies have been known to cause hair loss in men and women around the world. If your thinning hair is accompanied by thin and fragile fingernails, ask your doctor about a blood test for iron-deficiency anemia.

Additionally, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and biotin may play a role in the condition of your hair. These nutrients aren't a cure for baldness, but they may help preserve the shine, strength, and integrity of your hair. Cold-water fish, such as salmon and herring, are good sources of these nutrients.

Some studies have shown that green tea may have a positive effect on inherited hair loss. Although the evidence that green tea can prevent hair loss is not strong, drinking the antioxidant-rich tea is a valuable addition to any diet.

Review Your Medications

Most people know that harsh medications, such as those administered during chemotherapy, can cause hair loss. But several more common medications can contribute, too. For example, certain cholesterol reducers, steroids, high blood pressure medications, and oral contraceptives can cause hair loss. Hormone replacement therapies that contain methyltestosterone may also accelerate hair loss and could exacerbate thinning hair problems in postmenopausal women.

If you think your meds may be to blame, talk with your doctor about alternatives.

For Most, It's in the Genes

For men who suffer from excessively thinning hair or excessive hair loss for which there is no known underlying medical reason, it is probably due to genetics. In fact, most hair loss in men is inherited: It can come from mom, dad, or both parents. The culprit in male pattern hair loss seems to be the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (5-AR), which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks the hair follicles in men with a genetic predisposition, and in time, the smaller follicles produce shorter and thinner hair.

What NOT to Blame

As you are working down your list of possible explanations, here are some items to cross off. Chemicals, such as those used to color, perm, or bleach hair or those used to chlorinate swimming pools, do not cause hair to fall out at the follicle or cause permanent hair loss. But harsh chemicals can cause hair to become very fragile and susceptible to breakage, so limiting your exposure to them may help protect the integrity of your hair.

Treating Hereditary Hair Loss

One of the most popular pharmacological hair loss treatments for men is minoxidil. This topical medication inhibits the enzyme 5-AR and has proved effective in treating hair loss in men. But there are some drawbacks to minoxidil. Consistent use is required to maintain hair growth, and results may take up to four months to begin showing. Also, it works best for hair growth on the crown of the head, not the frontal hairline or receding hairlines, and once treatment is stopped, hair loss returns. Local side effects may include dryness, itching, and redness of the scalp, so talk to your doctor about what's best for you.

Another possible treatment for hereditary hair loss in men is the oral medication finasteride. Like minoxidil, this medication inhibits 5-AR. Speak with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of this medication. A small number of men taking this medication reported sexual side effects, such as decreased libido.

The Future Is Bright

Hair loss research continues at a rapid pace. Researchers have been successful in regrowing hair on bald mice through the implantation of stem cells and one day may be able to implant such cells into humans to activate the hair follicles to grow more hair.

But until a permanent cure for baldness is available, your best bet for maintaining a full head of hair is to seek treatment at the first sign of thinning. This will increase your chances of minimizing hair loss. Alternatively, change your mindset and embrace a bald new look!

Did you know that men are less likely to seek help for health problems than women? This, along with certain biological factors, makes it important for men to pay attention to health issues as they arise. Some heart problems and certain cancers could be prevented if men would seek medical treatment on a more regular basis.